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Alberton resident wins a trip to space (well almost)

October 2006

For Alberton resident, Denise Dale, astronomy and space exploration has always been a passion. So much so that she is currently completing her Masters degree in astronomy. One day she hopes to achieve a PHD in astrophysics and become a researcher at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Thanks to the help of 1Lifedirect, South Africa's first, fully direct life insurer and 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Denise was able to get one step closer to her lifelong dream, and experience America's busiest space launch and landing facility.

I could not believe my luck. All I did was enter a radio competition and the next thing I knew, I was jetting off to the NASA Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

This was truly a dream come true and an unforgettable and magical experience," says Denise.

Denise continues: At NASA I got to meet two astronauts – Robert Springer and Winston Scott, who took a South African flag into space and then presented it to President Thabo Mbeki.

I also got to see NASA's launch and landing facilities and have a go on interactive space stimulators like the mock space shuttle. The best part of the trip though was definitely experiencing zero gravity!"

Commenting on the lifelong dream competition, Lenerd Louw, CEO of 1Lifedirect says: At 1Lifedirect, we believe that life is for living. That is why we decided to run with this competition as it gives South Africans the opportunity to accomplish their ultimate ambition. We are extremely pleased that we were able to make Denise's lifelong dream a reality."